Ecuador nightclub shooting kills eight people
Among the dead was the owner of the nightclub, who was brother to Santa Lucia's mayor Ubaldo Urquizo, according to AFP news agency and local media.The local government's Facebook page offered condolences to the mayor after the death of his brother, writing "we join with respect and solidarity with their grief, lifting our prayers that they may find strength and comfort during this difficult time."The shooting is the latest in a spate of violent attacks in Guayas. Nine people were shot dead in a pool hall on 19 July, and another 17 were killed in a bar on 27 July.Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared war on gang crime in January 2024, but violence has continued despite the increased military presence.Official figures state that 4,051 homicides were recorded between January and May 2025.The country sees 70 percent of all cocaine produced in the world pass through its ports, according to government data.
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
New twist in Cincinnati street brawl as lawmakers say white man who started melee should be prosecuted
Lawmakers in Cincinnati are calling for a white man seen on video slapping a black man before a now viral brawl erupted to face prosecution. The violent melee that unfolded two weekends ago in the downtown area of the Democrat led city has so far led to the arrest of six individuals. On Monday night, Ohio State Rep Cecil Thomas led a discussion inside the New Prospect Baptist Church and raised concerns that the man had yet to be arrested. Thomas, who leads the city chapter of the National Action Network, said all of those who have been arrested are black. He said the black community wanted answers about why others involved have not been prosecuted. 'The method by which this situation has been handled raises serious questions as whether there bias involved in this investigation,' he said, according to WLWT. 'It also brings into question the lack of integrity and whether there is something else to hide.' A new angle of what happened prior to the brawl shows an unidentified black man being slapped by the unknown white man, which sparked the chaos. All six of those who have been arrested are facing charges of aggravated riot and felonious assault charges, which carries with it the potential of 29 years in prison. Pastor Leslie Jones also reportedly said : 'Our community is restless and they're watching. 'Since you don't think young people vote, old folks do. And they have told me they know how to vote, they know how to answer. 'If you don't prosecute this gentleman and we're not talking about we're demanding prosecution in the next 24 hours.' Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval released a statement following the meeting saying he agreed with the frustration. Pureval said: 'I have been clear about my expectations that, in order to preserve both public safety and fairness, anyone involved in perpetrating the violence should be charged. 'Until all participants are held accountable, justice hasn't been fully served. And I'm grateful that community leaders and residents are continuing to come together to make their expectations clear.' He added that additional charging decisions would be made by officials 'as soon as possible'. Footage obtained by Fox News also depicts a White man using a racial slur towards the group in the moments before the brawl. It comes after all six who have been arrested were formally indicted by a grand jury, the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office said. Patrick Rosemond, 38, Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, DeKyra Vernon, 24, Dominique Kittle, 37, and Aisha Devaughn, 25, are all facing charges. A seventh suspect, 32-year-old Gregory Wright, was apprehended on Monday and is facing charges of aggravated riot and aggravated robbery. He pleaded not guilty. Police allege in their criminal complaint that Wright ripped a necklace off a man while he was being assaulted during the brawl. They said he then put the necklace into his pocket before proceeding to 'film the rest of the events', Fox19 reported. A woman, known only as Holly, was brutally injured during the assault with her attack also caught on camera. In a sit down interview last week, Holly claimed Mayor Pureval and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge had ignored her. Holly also said that police 'acted nonchalant' when they arrived at the scene and did not call for backup or an ambulance. Patrick Rosemond, 38, left, was arrested in Georgia in connection to the violent attack. Aisha Devaughn, right, allegedly hit one of the victims, prosecutors said Jermaine Matthews, left, and Dominique Kittle are both facing charges in connection with the brawl 'They were less than helpful is all I can say. So, I wound up getting in my Uber when it showed up and went home and tried to sleep off the concussion,' Holly explained. 'They didn't even get a statement. No, the police were very, opposite of helpful.. They made me feel so uncomfortable. 'They don't even get my name. They don't even care enough to get my name', she added. She went on to defend her actions that night, noting that she was the only person who decided to jump in to help the man because it was 'the right thing to do.' 'There were 100 people there that night and I jumped in, I was the only one who jumped in, to try and save him because that was the right thing to do. 'And, yeah, unfortunately they attacked me as well for trying to do the right thing,' Holly added. Holly, who's described herself as a single working-class mother, said out of the large crowd of people, the only person who called 911 was another victim. 'So not one person decided to call 911 and then film these heinous crimes and attempted murder, because that is what it is no matter what they label it. 'It was attempted murder,' Holly said, adding that those who watched on should feel 'shame' for their actions Days after the video of the vicious fight went viral, Chief Theetge said the outrage surrounding it lacked 'context.' Chief Theetge also took aim at the media for only showing 'one version' of what occurred - without giving any more context about the fight herself. 'Social media and journalism and the role it plays in this incident, the posts that we have seen does not depict the entire incident,' she said.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Pictured: Gunman who ‘killed three' in Texas Target rampage
The suspected gunman accused of shooting a child and two adults dead in a Target car park appeared bloodied in a mugshot released by a Texas police force. Ethan Nieneker, 32, is accused of killing a man, a four-year-old girl and her grandfather in a car park in Austin on Monday. Austin police shared a mugshot of Mr Nieneker, which shows gashes and bruises around his eyes. The alleged killer, whom police described as having a 'mental health history', was detained following a police chase that involved two cars he had stolen for his failed getaway. Officers said he was found naked holding a Bible and claiming to be Jesus. Mr Nieneker is being held in Travis County Jail on murder charges. He already has a lengthy criminal record, including arrests for assault, family violence, drunk driving and criminal mischief, Fox News reported. The shooting unfolded at around 2.15pm local time, when Mr Nieneker allegedly entered the shop car park and opened fire with a handgun at random, killing Hector Martinez Machuca, Adam Chow and his granddaughter. He first approached Machuca, a Target employee, shooting him as he collected carts outside the store, according to Austin Police Sgt Nathan Sexton. Mr Nieneker is then alleged to have approached a family getting into a Toyota, where police said he gunned down Mr Chow and his granddaughter, before assaulting the man's wife and stealing their car. Mr Machuca later died in hospital, while Mr Chow and his granddaughter both died at the scene. His wife suffered minor injuries as a result of her assault. As Mr Nieneker made his hour-long getaway, Sgt Sexton said he was responsible for causing at least one crash, attempting to steal a truck, assaulting another woman who he threw from a vehicle during a car-jacking, and attempting to break into a taxi. Mr Nieneker was eventually tasered by police around 20 miles from the scene and taken into custody, while the murder weapon was recovered from the Chow family's Toyota 4-Runner, police said. In addition to murder charges, Mr Nieneker is expected to face charges related to assault, vehicle theft and property damage. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said: 'This is a very sad day for Austin. It's a very sad day for us all and my condolences go out to the families.'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Target shooting suspect Ethan Nieneker's chilling claim after ‘killing 3 at random' as he drips blood in new mugshot
THE man accused of shooting three people dead, including a child, outside of a Target made a disturbing comment about Jesus after the sick crimes. Ethan Blaine Nieneker, 32, grimaced in a bloody mugshot after he allegedly opened fire on a group of people in the parking lot of the Austin, Texas, supermarket on Monday. 7 7 Police said that Nieneker randomly shot 24-year-old Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca before rushing over to Adam Chow, 65, and his 4-year-old granddaughter and killing them as he stole their car. The Austin Police Department revealed the victims' identities one day after the crime, and opened up on the suspect's deranged ravings and senseless motive. Speaking to reporters about Nieneker, homicide detective Nathan Sexton said, "He said that he was Jesus and there was no real reason whatsoever given. "It was a completely random choosing of the victims." Cops arrived at the scene at 2:23 pm and found the worker suffering from gunshot wounds, the Austin Police Department said. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but couldn't be saved. Chow and the little girl were declared dead at the scene, and Chow's wife had minor injuries. Police say that Nieneker opened fire on Machuca in the parking lot at around 2:15 pm, and then fired shots at a Jeep as it tried to evade his gunfire. The suspect then allegedly ran up to a Toyota 4-Runner and shot Chow, who was sitting in the front seat, before firing at the little girl in the backseat. Chow's wife grabbed her granddaughter before they were shoved out by Neineker, who stole the car and zoomed away, cops said. Austin Target shooting 'leaves at least three injured with suspect in custody' Around five minutes after the shooting started, the suspect stopped beside a water truck that was parked on the side of a road and allegedly beat the driver and pulled him from the front seat. Cops said that Nieneker tried to put the car in drive, but couldn't, so he went back to the 4-Runner and drove away. He allegedly wrecked that car about five minutes later and then ran to a nearby Volkswagen dealership, where he carjacked another woman and left in her vehicle. Less than ten minutes after this, Nieneker tried to get into a Waymo self-driving car, but that didn't work, so he got back on the road. 7 7 A few minutes later, a friend who knew the suspect told cops that Neineker threw a brick through his residence. The suspect continually zoomed through the center of the city with cops on his trail before someone reported seeing a naked man in their backyard. Officials raced to the area and found Nieneker naked on the street. When he didn't follow their directions, they tased him and put him in cuffs. Cops later found his clothes in a nearby porta-potty. Nieneker was booked on Tuesday and looked battered and bruised in a mugshot taken by the local police department. Austin Police Department's full statement on shooting "On Monday, August 11, 2025, at approximately 2:15 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to calls of multiple shootings at the Target parking lot at 8601 Research Boulevard northbound. Officers arrived to find a male, later identified as Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca, in the parking lot. Mr. Martinez Machuca was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased at 3:01 p.m. Officers also located a family including Adam Chow, his wife, and their 4-year-old granddaughter. Adam Chow and his 4-year-old granddaughter were pronounced deceased on scene. Mr. Chow's wife sustained minor injuries. Homicides Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed Ethan Nieneker randomly attacked a Target employee Hector Leopoldo Martinez Machuca in the parking lot, shooting and killing him as he was collecting shopping carts. Nieneker then ran to a black Jeep Cherokee and began firing as the Jeep attempted to evade the gunfire. Nieneker then ran up to a gray Toyota 4-Runner where he shot Mr. Chow as he sat in the driver seat. He then fired into the backseat, striking the 4-year-old granddaughter. Mr. Chow's wife carried their granddaughter from the vehicle and Nieneker pushed her from the vehicle. Nieneker then drove the Toyota from the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Mr. Chow and the 4-year-old granddaughter were pronounced deceased on scene at 2:39 and 2:50 p.m. At approximately 2:20 p.m. Nieneker found a water truck parked alongside the 7800 block of Mopac Expressway. He opened the driver's door and repeatedly assaulted the driver before pushing him out of the vehicle. He attempted to put the truck into drive but was unable to. He then jumped out of the truck and chased a male with a pistol in his hand before running back to the stolen 4-Runner and drove off. At approximately 2:25 p.m., APD received the call of a multiple-vehicle crash as the stolen 4-Runner crashed into a Volkswagen before landing on top of an Infiniti SUV. Nieneker exited the vehicle and went over to the Volkswagen, opened the door and repeatedly assaulted the female driver of the Volkswagen. He pushed the female driver of the Volkswagen out and then drove off. At 2:34 p.m., a suspect matching Nieneker's description exited the stolen Volkswagen and went up to a Waymo vehicle and attempted to break into it. This failed and Nieneker returned to the stolen Volkswagen and drove away. At 2:37 p.m., an acquaintance known to Nieneker through bible study reported that Nieneker had thrown a brick through his residence in the 2100 block of La Casa Drive. At 2:58 p.m., APD received the call of a naked male walking through a backyard in the 2400 block of La Casa Drive. Nieneker was observed running into a 'porta potty' and then leaving on foot. Officers located Nieneker walking naked on Montclaire Street. Nieneker was issued commands, did not comply, was tased and taken into custody at 3:06 p.m. Officers checked the area, and the matching suspect clothing previously captured surveillance was located inside of the "porta potty". The investigation shows that Nieneker conducted these violent offenses of shooting at multiple victims, killing three victims, and destroying multiple vehicles, in the span of less than one hour. Nieneker has been charged with two counts of Capital Murder for the 4-year-old granddaughter and for Adam Chow. He has also been charged for the First-Degree Felony Murder of Mr. Martinez Machuca. Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have photos, videos, or potential evidence, please submit them by clicking here or scanning the QR code below. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting or calling (512) 472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. This case is being investigated as Austin's 39th, 40th and 41st homicide of 2025." DISTURBING HISTORY Davis said that they knew Nieneker and revealed he had a history of mental health issues. The suspect has an extensive criminal history starting in 2012 when he was arrested and convicted for misdemeanor marijuana possession, ABC affiliate KVUE reported. In 2015, he was arrested for misdemeanor DWI, felony criminal mischief, and assaulting a family member. The following year, Nieneker was arrested and convicted of a felony charge for assaulting his girlfriend. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and probation for that charge. Also in 2016, he was accused of criminal mischief, but the charge was later dismissed. Later that year, he was arrested and convicted of a felony charge for violating a bond or protective order. In 2017, Nieneker pleaded guilty to a DWI charge and spent 30 days in jail. 7 7 He was accused of attacking his roommate in 2019, but the case was later dismissed. In a Facebook account that appears to belong to Nieneker, the suspect wrote about getting a job as a bartender in 2020. That same year, he penned several posts complaining about people sharing their political opinions. After Tuesday's shooting, Davis said, "This is a very sad day for Austin. It's a very sad day for us all." "Our thoughts are with the families," she added. "This is a tragic time, our thoughts are with the officers, and EMS, and fire that had to come and do the work here at the scene, forensics, everyone that's doing the scene." Nieneker has been charged with two counts of capital murder for allegedly killing the little girl and Chow. He was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Machuca, meaning the killing was deliberate and planned, according to cops.
